US Senate to take up energy permitting bill votes next week, Whitehouse says
XLE•The Senate is expected to take up amendments and vote on final passage of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act next week, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said. The bill advanced 75-23 earlier this week.
1. Senate vote next week
The Senate is not expected to hold additional votes on the permitting reform bill until next week, when lawmakers will consider amendments and vote on final passage, Whitehouse said. He expects to return from the COP 31 climate conference in Turkey by Monday.
2. Amendments proposed
Senators are submitting amendments this week. Democrats led by Adam Schiff are seeking to remove provisions related to the National Historic Preservation Act, arguing they could weaken protections for tribal resources; Josh Hawley introduced amendments aimed at protecting farmers and other landowners from losing land through eminent domain for transmission lines.
3. House prospects
Whitehouse said the 75-23 vote to advance the legislation improved its prospects in the House. He said members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus had assured senators the House would hold a vote and were optimistic about passage.
